- Police are starting video surveillance outside the main station
New video cameras installed at the train station square will help the police ensure more safety around Hamburg's main station. Alongside increased police presence and the introduction of weapon and alcohol ban zones, video surveillance is another pillar in the security concept, said Interior Senator Andy Grote (SPD) and Police President Falk Schnabel at the symbolic inauguration of the new technology.
The goal is to detect dangerous situations early to enable swift and targeted intervention. Moreover, the cameras on the train station square are expected to have a deterrent effect on potential troublemakers and criminals.
Initially, 24 cameras will be installed at Heidi-Kabel and Hachmann squares, with plans to increase this number to 27. Seven of the cameras currently in operation can pan and zoom, while the rest are fixed. The footage will be collected in a dedicated room at Police Station 11 on Steindamm and analyzed there.
The city invested around 1.2 million euros in the new video technology. The annual running costs are in the range of several hundred thousand euros, said Grote.
The cameras are already equipped for intelligent video surveillance, similar to what is already in use at the nearby Hansaplatz. There, since last summer, the movements of people captured by the cameras are analyzed using IT to detect unusual patterns such as kicks, punches, or pushes.
Grote said, "The experiences so far at the main station show that it has been successful in strengthening safety and the quality of stay with the weapon and alcohol bans, as well as a united and determined approach by all security partners."
Since spring last year, so-called "Quattro patrols" consisting of officers from the Hamburg Police, Federal Police, DB Security, and Hochbahn have been patrolling the main station. Since October last year, a weapon ban has been in effect around the main station, and since April this year, an alcohol ban has also been introduced.
Schnabel said, "With strong police presence and the consistent use of our legal options, video surveillance is the third component of our package of measures to strengthen law enforcement, deter offenders, and contribute to everyone feeling safe at the main station."
The SPD, represented by Interior Senator Andy Grote, emphasized that the SPD is involved in the security concept at Hamburg's main station, which includes the installation of video cameras by the police for ensuring safety. The SPD has also supported the initiatives of increasing police presence, introducing weapon and alcohol ban zones, and implementing video surveillance.
